Self-cleaning strainer and muffler.



B. S. AIKMAN.l SELF CLEANING STRAINER AND MUPFLER.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 13, 1913. I 1,073,883, Patented Sept. 23, 1913.

e W W L, f /l l/M Y /f//f/W/e W Q i referring to UlNlTED lRTO'llT S. AK'MAT, 0F MLWAUKEE, WISGUNSN, ASSIGNOR T0 NATONAL BRAKE @c ELECTRIU'COMPANY, 0F tllLWAUKEE, WISCNSN, A. CORPORATON 0f' WISCONSIN;

sntrcrmnmne erasmus nun Mosman.

Application alcol January 13, 1.913. Serial No. 741,699.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, BURToN S. AUQMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of liisconsin, have invented certain new and useful lmprov-ements in Self-Cleaning Strsiners and lVIul'llers7 of which the tollowing is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the acc-.ompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to compressed air systems and consists `of av self cleaning strainer and moitier 'for use in conjunction with such systems.

M v' invention is of great utility in connection with compressed air systems employed in conjunction with railroads.' It is well known that the compressors used in such systems are liable to be clogged with dirt or dust drawn in from the atmosphere as the trains lor cars pass through districts or zones where there is a great deal of dust.

My invention is designedto strain the air before it is drawn into the compressor and, in addition, it serves as a mulier, thus pre venting undue noise as the exhaust air is mpelled from the brake valves.

My invention will be better understood by the accompanying drawing which illustratesmy invention having suitable connections to the compressor as well as to the pipes leading to the brake valves.

The arrangement embodying my invention comprises a casing 1 which has a connection 2 which leads to and is connected with an extension 3 of a compressor. The casing 1 has also suitably connected-there; with piping 4L which extends from the brake valves. The casing is provided `at its upper portion with a plurality of arms 5-5 which support a central member 6 in such a way as to leave aplurality of openings 7 between the arms. The member 6 is threaded as shown and is adapted to receive a neck por tion 8 of a drum 9. lower portion of the casing there is disposed a suitable gasket 10. This drum is hollow as'shown and opens into the atmosphere at its lower portion. The drum is of more on les'sskeleton form and consists of a plurality of ribs 11e-#1l between which there are open# ings 12--12- uThe central portion ofthe drum -having an annular bearing surface Between this drum and- 13-13 and the upper portion having a bearing surface 14. A, similar surface is provided at the lower vportion shown at 15. These surfaces have. bearing engagement with a screen 16, which screen is surrounded by fabric or cloth 17 of large mesh. The cloth and screen are held in place by suitable metal bands 18-18 as shown. The lower portion of the drum is spanned by member 19 which serves as a suitable member for the engagement of a tool in order to screw the drum into place. 1

When the compressor, which is used in conjunction with an air compressing system, is working thc air which is drawn through the opening in the lower portion of the drum 9 passes through the screen 16, the cloth 17 and through the member 2 into the member 3 and pasta valve 2O which is in an open position when the compresso-r is working. This air is drawn in ata low velocity so that as it passes through the screen and cloth all of the dust is removed from the air so that it is prevented from passing into the compressor. After a certain amount ot air has passed through the compressor and the air pressure reaches a predetermined point in thel tank connected with the compressor, the flow of air willcease. In other words, the compressor will not create any further suction after the maximum air pressure in the tank has been reached.

When the air exhausts from the brake valves and passesthrough the pipes 4 4 it passes through the openings 7--7 at a high velocity and strikes the fabric 17v and passes therethrough as well as the screen 16. thus removing any on these two members. which dust is forced into the atmosphere. In addition to thisthe screen 16 and the fabric 17 act as a muiiler so that the exhaust from the brake valves is scarcelv audible. My purpose in providing the fabric 17 of open mesh is so that the dust fastens itself Vvery readilyv to the cloth and it is thus prevented from entering the compressor during its operation.

The drum as shown is constructed so that lwhen necessity requires, itmay be readily removed `by applying a suitable tool to the member 19.

One important feature of my invention is the fact that after a certain amount of air has been drawn into the compressor through dust which has collected Patented Sept. 23,1913.

the screen and fabric 17 which have collected dirt or dust, the next operation cleans these tivo members, owing to the fact that the exhaust from the brake valvesis forced through these members, thus completely cleaning them and forcing the dust laden air into the atmosphere.

It Willbe observed from the foregoing description that my invention comprises very effective means for preventing` dust from entering the compressor as Well as preventing agreat deal of noise when the exhaust air is expelled from the brake'valves. Y

rThe mulller arrangement in itself is very important since it is Well known that in compressed air systems as used in railroad Work there is considerable noise When the exhaust air passes from the brake valves.

Wlhile I haveI herein shown and described one particular embodiment of my invention,

, combination of a. casing havingconnections With the intake and exhaust of a compressed air system, and means in said casing for straining the air, said means comprising a metallic screen and fabric around said screen.

3. In adevice of the class described, the combination of a casing communicating with the atmosphere, said casing having connections ivith inletand outlet openings-in a compressed air system, and mechanism in said casing for straining the air, said mechanism comprising a metallic screen and a .fabric of large mesh disposed around said screen.

4:. In a device of the class described, the

.combination of a casing having communication Wit-h the atmosphere, said casing hav-l ing connection With a compressor of an air brake system, said casingy also having a connection With the exhaust from the brake valves, and screening apparatus disposed in said casing for straining the air before it passes in tothe compressor, said screening apparatus also serving as a muiiier for the exhaust air from the brake Valves.

5. In a device of the class-described, the combination of a casing having communication with the atmosphere, said casing having a connection-with a compressor of-an air brake system, said casing also having a connection with the exhaust from the brake valves, and screening apparatus mounted in said casing for straining the air before it passes into the compressor, said screening apparatus also serving as a muliler for the exhaust air `from the brake valves, said screening apparatus consisting of a. metallic screen and a fabric of Wide mesh.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing having communication with the atmosphere, said casing having a connection with a compressor of an air brake system, said casing also having a `connection with the exhaust from the brake valves of suchv system, and a plurality7 i of the air straining members' disposed in said casing, said members also serving as a.

mutiier for the exhaust air from the brake valves.

7. In a device of the class described the combination 'of a casing havingcommunication With the atmosphere, said casing having a connection with a compressor of an air brake system, said casing also having a connection with the exhaust from the brake valves of such system, and a plurality of the air straining members disposed in said casing, said members valso serving as a muf.

nections, one leading to the intake of a compressed air system, and the other leading to.

the exhaust valves of said system, and a de- Ivice in vsaid casing for straining the air.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination` of a casing having a connection to the intake vof a compressedair system and another connection to the exhaust valves of such system, and a device in said casing for straining the air.

1l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing having a connection to the intake of a compressed air system and,

another connection to the exhaust valves of such system, and a removable device in said casing for straining the air.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination-of a casingA having a connection to the intake of a compressed air system and another connection to the exhaust valves of such system, and a device vin said casing through which the air is drawn and exhausted, said device comprising a hollow drum provided With openings, and a screen mounted on said drum and over said openings, said drum being open at one end to the atmosphere.

13. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a casing having a connection to the intake of a compressed air system and another connection to the exhaust valves of such system, a hollow member removably fastened in said casing through which the air is drawn and exhausted, said member having'ogenings therethrough, and screenmg mem said hollow member having one end open to the atmosphere.

14. In a devlce of the class described,- the combination of a casing having a connection to the intake'of a compressed air system and another `connect-ion to the exhaust valves of such system, a hollow member removably fastened 1n said lcasing through which the air is drawn andexhausted, said member having openings therethrough, screening members disposedover said openings, and

ers disposed over said openings,-

devices-for holding said screening members in place.

15. In-a device of'the class described, the combination of a casing having a connection to the intake of a compressed air system and another connection to the-exhaust valves of such system, a hollow member removably fastened in said casingthrough which the air is drawn and exhausted, said member having openings therethrough, screenin members disposed over said openings, an bands for holding said screening members in place. f

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 10th day of. J an., A. D. 1913. BURTON S. AIKMAN.

' lVitnesses:

WM. KERNER BoYLE, RICHARD H. WEILAND. 

